Tom Smith takes the helm as UNCA’s baseball coach.

Tom Smith will take over the helm as UNC Asheville’s new head baseball coach, Bulldogs’ Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone announced July 6.

The announcement came at a morning press conference held at the Owen Conference Center. The school’s Board of Trustees approved Cone’s recommendation to hire Smith.

 Smith becomes the eighth man to lead the UNCA baseball program. He has served on the Bulldogs’ coaching staff for the past two seasons, first as a volunteer assistant in 2008 and as an assistant this past spring.

 “Tom Smith is a proven leader with tremendous desire who will direct our baseball program forward,” Cone said. “He has the knowledge of the game of baseball and is a proven recruiter.

 “We are confident that Tom Smith will get the job done with our baseball program in the classroom and the community. We are equally as confident he will lead our program to being just as competitive on the field.”

 Before coming to UNCA, Smith was one of the top high school coaches in the nation at T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville. He coached the Rams program for 28 years and led the school to three 3-A state titles in 1983, 2000 and 2002. The Rams won 14 conference titles during his tenure. Smith, 54, posted a 478-185 record at Roberson before retiring in 2006.

Smith had 20 players drafted by major league teams during his time at Roberson. The list includes pitcher Darren Holmes who went to pitch 17 years in the major leagues, current left-hander pitcher Chris Narveson of the Milwaukee Brewers and outfielder Cameron Maybin of the Florida Marlins, who was drafted in the first round in 2005.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be selected to be the next head baseball coach at UNC Asheville,” Smith said. “I greatly appreciate the confidence that Janet Cone and the search committee has placed in me to lead the Bulldog baseball program.

“It is very exciting to be a part of a school that is so good academically and has an athletic department with so many outstanding coaches,” Smith added. “We are looking forward to building the UNC Asheville baseball program.”